Job Discussion Forums

[lionbrian]

Dear all,

Any info? I have heard that they have recently changed their salary scales for both instructors (700 O.R) and lecturers (800 O.R). Is this true? How is teaching there? Students? Teaching load?

Your input is highly appreciated?

Enjoy your day!

[crocus]

Hello LionBrian

The whole thing with contracts is in a state of flux at the moment: instead of instructors and lecturers they are changing to instructors, senior instructors and assistant lecturers - minimum requirement (they say) is MA in TEFL/etc. Money also, nobody seems to be able to give a proper answer to. All LC were told in September 2002 that the contracts were being redone and it was likely that all staff would get a raise, backdated to August 2002 - all according to a Royal decree. So far rumor has it that the Omani staff got their raise before Eid al Fitr, as did some ex-pats who've been here for many years and were on 'old' contracts. However, we hear that other expat staff will not receive any raise or any backdated cash. Great! So much for Royal Decrees! As it is, surely SQU pays less than any other University in the ME?

Teaching load: usually 20 hours a week + 10 hours office hours if you teach on the Intensive programme, which most new staff do.
Students: actually pretty nice - almost (not quite) make up for the money!
Holidays: 60 days a year paid vacation (45 after year 1 because you haven't worked enough months to 'earn' the time off, but the extra 15 are made up later)
Benefits: normal. Housing either on campus or off. If off, then you get a housing allowance (again a source of unhappiness since it was meant to change in the contract review). If off, then you also get a travel allowance. Flights once a year to your home area. Education allowance for children under 18 - be warned, this does NOT cover the entire amount required for the International schools. Health Cover - on-site clinic + access to Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.

General feeling about working here: if you want a pretty easy job with nice students; if you enjoy all that Oman might have to offer in the way of camping, etc; if you don't mind the money (or don't at the moment have to change money to $ or � to send home) - then apply for a job at SQU. Just make sure that you don't mind being called a Language Instructor - doesn't look so good on your resume.

Hope this helps answer some of your questions.

[titanicman]

I can't get the SQU website to work so could you help me answering some questions.

What do you know about the English Language Centre? What are their program objectives? Do they use PCs or IT in their classroom? How? Which textbooks? Why are students taking English courses? What textbooks do they use? Do they practice or encourage task-based learning or PPP? How much freedom does the teacher get in the classroom? Freedom in terms of textbook choice, curriculum content, classroom management/discipline, teaching style, exams/tests/quizzes (who writes them? are they set by others?).

Thanks. Titanicman

[thursday12]

Any info? I have heard that they have recently changed their salary scales for both instructors (700 O.R) and lecturers (800 O.R). Is this true? How is teaching there? Students? Teaching load?


Can anyone give details on the current situation - salaries, conditions and management attitudes?

Thanx

[thursday12]

[quote="crocus"]Hello LionBrian

[thursday12]

Could someone give a full update on the situation at SQU -
salaries, hours, teaching load and requirements, students,
management?

Do you have appraisals? portfolios? management observation? If so are these conducted in a professional way?


Thanx

[boundforsaudi]

What's wrong with being called a language instructor? Beats the hell out of teacher.

[harmonious]

I've been at SQU for the last two years and am happy. The last paragraph of Crocus' first post is a good summary.

I can't speak for what was decreed in 2002, but I am aware that a new decree has recently been issued that does include all Language Center staff in a 15% salary increase beginning January 07. The typical starting salary has been 750-800 with an MA depending upon years of experience and a few other things that may not be entirely fair or rational (such as the number of available "B" grade positions), so add 15% to this.

There are head cases everywhere, but I have found supervisors and PC's to be nice people on the whole and there are many people at SQU who are very welcoming and helpful to new staff.

You will be observed twice your first year of teaching and it is done in a professional manner in my opinion. The director does the observations and she is a very supportive and enthusiastic Omani professor.

Teaching load is like Crocus said, however, I would like to add that you are not tied to your desk. The point is to be there for your students and do your job well and are prepared for classes, and so long as you do that, you are OK. There are also many opportunities for release time to work on various projects.

There are program objectives for the IELP and other programs but i doubt they are listed on the web site. Different objectives for different programs. Computer technology is used and there are many applications on Web CT and Moodle designed specifically for SQU students. The IELP is now using the Skills in English Series by Terry Phillips for levels 2-4 and they are also being phased into levels 5-6 along with some in house stuff.

You get a good deal of freedom in the classroom so long as you cover the objectives and are aware of whatever important issues the PC may have. Task based learning in certainly fine. The Curriculum document given to teachers states that there is no specific methodology to be followed but outlines some "Best Practices" that ought to be followed.

Assessment is standardized and although you may give your own tests and quizzes, they will not be weighted outside of what has already been determined by the PC's and Testing Unit, who typically have already created tests. The Testing & Assessment Unit writes the tests. Currently, these tests are sat by the PC's and others and there seems to be some improvements being made although they are certainly not perfect. There is response to feedback now, however.

Other programs outside the IELP make their own tests and have their own ways of doing things.

Hope this is helpful.

[thursday12]

Got some questions:

1. Does SQU have overtime/summer school ops?
2. Is there an appraisal system?
3. If there's an appraisal system, is it fair?
4. How much is the monthly salary?
5. Is management decent? Do they treat people well?
6. Does management support the staff?
7. Is everyone treated fairly or is there a suck-up system?

Would appreciate some answers.